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Fledglings prepare to fly their lockdown nests and jump into July - join us for the July FlyLady thread

998 replies

KTCluck · 30/06/2020 21:50

Welcome all fledglings, newbies and lurkers to the July 2020 flylady thread, where we try and follow flylady’s system to keep our homes in order and our lives organised. We are a friendly bunch and like a bit of a natter, amongst posting our ‘To Do’ lists for accountability and celebrating our ‘Ta Da’ lists no matter how long or short. No fledgling is left behind, just jump in and join us wherever you are at - whether you are a lazy slattern living in chaos or a fully certified domestic goddess wanting to keep up the motivation. Most of us flit between the two depending on the day. The threads tends to be a supportive corner of MN, and we readily provide listening ears for woes and rants when needed.

Flylady is a system based around morning and evening routines, with babysteps to get you started and a daily focus, such as planning and family fun day. There’s a weekly home blessing (or ‘bleurgh’ as we prefer) which is a basic clean to keep the house ticking over, with short bursts of decluttering or deeper cleaning in weekly zones once you are ready. Flylady also suggests short missions each day. Feel free to adapt the system to make it fit in with your life.

Link to the launchpad is here (I hope) and the baby steps are here. From the launchpad I like the ‘flight plan’ for a reminder of the routines, and ‘sneak peek of the week’ for a list of the week‘a missions. You can sign up for emails, but be warned, you will need to regularly declutter your inbox!

As thread leader for July I have taken possession of the thread pointy stick —> for anyone in need of a sharp prod of motivation, but I’ve also set up a chilled quiet naughty corner, complete with comfortable day beds, a gentle sea breeze, and unlimited fruit platters, ice creams and cocktails to any fledgling who is in need of rest and recuperation or is just on strike. No partners or children allowed.

I’ll also try and keep the ‘keep calm corner’ (KCC) going. Originally introduced by our lovely SC, it’s a little daily dose of respite we’ve been using to help us get through these strange times.

I’ll do my best to keep us all motivated and flying throughout July. On work days I may appear with the larks, or not crawl in until the end of the day so apologies in advance if I’m late with links.

We start tomorrow in zone 1 (hall, porch, dining room). Here’s the missions. Habit of the month is ‘swish and swipe’ which is a daily 2 minute wipe of our toilets and sinks. Tomorrow is anti-procrastination day where we tackle those tasks we’ve been putting off.

Anyway, enough waffle, July we are coming for you! shortly, I’m just checking the naughty corner is ready

OP posts:
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LaneBoy · 27/07/2020 15:47

That sounds stressful meg re FIL (wasn’t he the one that wouldn’t close your fridge door because the kitchen was too messy though? Best get a roundabout for those turning tables, if so Hmm) to be frank I hope DH can take the mental load of getting him help.

Hamster wheel (or indeed, hamster shell) is so right zoo - I guess I’ve been spoilt in the past by having a normally pragmatic DH, dare I admit he’s normally been the stronger one, and I feel like a stroppy mare for complaining that I have more responsibilities. It’s like he’s had a personality transplant Confused

Anyway. List done. Currently stressing over taekwondo - not sure if it’ll be cancelled due to a lot of rain. They’ll have to leave a lot earlier than most because they’d need to walk to town and get the bus that is guaranteed to be there on time (it’s not at usual location down the road as they have to be outdoors), it’s not like a quick drive to find out it’s cancelled last minute, get in the car and drive home again, long wait for a bus back. But I feel guilty cancelling too. FFS

LaneBoy · 27/07/2020 16:00

Should add he’s not remotely acting like I am a stroppy mare! It’s all my own views. I know he feels really crap but it’s not something you can just snap out of. I know that. Not sure what to do really. 🤔

Anyway. Onwards:
PO3.4
❗️Somehow make an actual decision about TKD
❗️Bring up the subject of maths with DH as he seems to have forgotten that was meant to start today (this is one of the main reasons I’m really feeling it today - yet again it’s me with the mental load)
❗️Try a puzzle/colouring thing from the book I reassigned to the Use Stuff Up Box just now

Gaaah sorry for the rant

LaneBoy · 27/07/2020 18:06

List done although it was made easier by the fact that coach set a time for deciding whether the lesson was off, and it was indeed cancelled due to heavy rain. Phew.

PO3.5
❗️Make dinner
❗️Message friend to see when her DD is coming to see DD1
❗️Sterilise cup because AF arrived and may go some way to explain why I am such a grumpy cow 😳😂

HungryHazelEyes · 27/07/2020 19:48

SC your DH is lucky he's still alive, I would be livid! And I certainly wouldn't have cleaned his mess up after him (unless I had no choice)

lane I hope you were able to come to a decision about TKD in the end.

Not got much else to add today so far, other than DD is babysitting this week and next and one of them already spilt water on the couch 🤬 I'm glad it's just water, but it should stay in the kitchen. I think I'll be ready for the 2 weeks to be over before DD at this rate!

JigoloHarMegiddo · 27/07/2020 20:04

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for personal reasons.

Stilllivinginazoo · 27/07/2020 20:29

Oh no meg
I've just been out for bread and had a drunk man fall backwards into me,then try pet my shoulder and couldn't understand why I growled at him to get out of my face....

LittlemissAWOL · 27/07/2020 20:39

Wow you've all been so busy!

DS2 birthday yesterday so I only hit the basics done.

Today I have properly cleaned LR, under sofa etc.
All windows/mirrors/shower etc
Tidied up
Polished
Changed beds
Emptied bins
Hoovered
Ironing
S&S

DC have gone to my DGM for the night so I sat and played Xbox for a bit waiting for DH to come in from work then we went for the rest of DS4 birthday presents.

Wrapped the presents.
Made sausage and mash for dinner.
Had a bath.

merryhouse · 27/07/2020 21:10

I've been lazy today.

Another quiz if anyone's interested: the Four Tendencies by Gretchen Rubin (pinched off a Habits thread I know Lane at least has been on).

I didn't want to give her my email (feeling stroppy) so didn't find out what I am but I'm pretty certain it would have come out as Obliger - I mean, I was pretty certain just looking at the four titles Grin but the questions solidified that. Pathological desire for approval, need for external validation of choices, much better with some accountability...

s&s
lol
exercise class
shower etc
threaded shoelaces into face mask
interim shop, face mask not threatening to fall off this time (also slightly tighter so not steaming up glasses, yay)
picked up the mended 5 pairs of trousers, put on quick wash
noted that 2 of them have other mending requirements
toad-in-the-hole for dinner

Can't remember what today's 3-list was, will have to scroll back. Pretty certain haven't done them. Definitely haven't done the one about the gym (maybe I should do that now).

I know! If I organise going to the gym tomorrow I can have some ice-cream.

Honestly, I'm over 50. I should have moved on from the days of recycling my new years' resolutions list three times...

merryhouse · 27/07/2020 21:17

oh, ha, I cheated... exercise class and interim shop were the first two Blush

definitely going to read email from gym now

oh, I also took delivery of my puzzle books. Perfect timing as this morning I finished the last of the crosswords from my Christmas present.

ToDo
read email
get rid of a few more emails
eat ice cream

ToMorrow
file loose papers on lounge table
go to gym
look through meeting minutes and summarise them in report

LaneBoy · 27/07/2020 21:28

Oh no meg!

Merry I’ve not looked at the site yet but from your description I feel I may be an obliger too 😂 😂

Oh well despite feeling moody as heck I have managed a few things today. I was going to attempt a final very easy power of 3 but I’m just going to try and get some sleep.

ta da
🦉weighed/measured self
🦅wrote to do list
🦉sorted rest of meds
🦅duolingo
🦉workout
🦅retyped and submitted assignment
🦉brief email chat with course supervisor
🦅shower
🦉decent lunch
🦅went through four maths workbooks and decided when/how to use them
🦉checked cinema website... opening in 4 days but no film info yet!
🦅talked to Caglets about summer maths revision
🦉brief look at DD1’s school maths site and wrote a few ideas, discussed priorities with DH
🦅made dinner
🦉45min amble/walk in park catching Pokemon with DS
🦅quick tryout of new weights

LittlemissAWOL · 27/07/2020 21:30

I've just done the quiz and I am an obliger. Seems a pretty accurate description of me tbf.

KTCluck · 27/07/2020 21:34

Wow Zoo, you’ve done so much! I don’t know how you do it.

I am also guilty of recycling resolutions Merry

Rant away Lane, I hear you with the mental load. You too SC, I’d have been furious too.

Hope you’re feeling a bit better Bower and hope the finger isn’t too painful Meg.

Marta it’s the living room this week (zone 5), then at the end of the week there’s a day or two in zone 1 (hall, dining room, porch).

Not many ta das from me today. I stuck an LOL
On before leaving for work this morning. Hung it up on the airer tonight and put some clean clothes away. The kitchen is semi sorted. And erm... that’s it Blush.

I’ll be back bright and early with links. Until then I’m I’ll be in the naughty corner if anyone needs me.

OP posts:
JigoloHarMegiddo · 27/07/2020 21:43

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for personal reasons.

THATscurryfungeBITCH · 27/07/2020 22:25

Well

My results from that quiz ...

Rebel:“I do what I want, in my own way. If you try to make me do something—even if I try to make myself do something—I’m less likely to do it.”

🤣😂

merryhouse · 27/07/2020 22:32

Do you think a lot of us will be Obligers because that's why we need to be here?

THATscurryfungeBITCH · 27/07/2020 23:01

I think rebel fits me quite well. I ignore fly lady a lot.

Bowerbird5 · 28/07/2020 01:08

Thanks all.
Still feeling grotty. I haven’t had any symptoms other than feeling nauseous and gripes tummy pains. I had some toast at 2pm and again at 8pm just with a little honey on and I had a couple of drinks of lemon and ginger tea which DH brought down to the summerhouse. I took my book down and read for hours.

My only ta Das:
S&S
Wrote a shopping list.
Helped DH make his tea.
Fed hens
Helped DH to make the jam.
Decluttered all the magazines from pile.

DHs tea was from one of the magazines. Morrocan lamb shank. It smelt delicious and he said it tasted scrumptious.

zoo You might be right my-friend had her condition flare up.

HungryHazelEyes · 28/07/2020 04:47

Oh bower I really hope you're feeling better soon. It's really draining to feel that way. I'm glad your DH is tending to your needs at the moment though. My DH has had an upset stomach for over a week now, not thrown up though and DD is starting to feel that way too, although she did spend quite a bit of time outside today and got burnt so it could be from the heat.

Meg I hope your finger is feeling better soon. If you have any I would put some hydrocortisone cream on it, after icing it to get the swelling down. And if you don't already, take a antihistamine to help with any reaction.

lane, zoo and I thought someone else too (I can't remember now), you have great lists. KT you did more than me today. I only managed to cook dinner and clean up the kitchen. I did work today. Tomorrow's my day off and we've already got a day full of to Dos. Ugh!

DD is exhausted from babysitting already, she was probably outside more today than the whole of summer so far (other than going camping) as she likes to stay holed up in her bedroom. The dog seems pretty worn out too, bless her!

HungryHazelEyes · 28/07/2020 04:53

that I feel like I'm a bit of a rebel as well, not always, but if someone tells me I can't do something, I think "you hide and watch"

Stilllivinginazoo · 28/07/2020 06:20
MrsTidyHouse · 28/07/2020 06:24

For the first time , I properly concentrated on the zone of front room and hallway, mainly because DS's boxes are still on the big table in the front room, and I was already back and forward with tidying and shredding. I put everything in the cupboard that belongs in the cupboard, thus getting a few bits and pieces out of my bedroom, where they should never have been anyway. Found the academic diary which I need for new term.

Then really got my mojo back and cleaned and polished the fireplace,,cleared off the mantlepiece and wiped down the paintwork,hoovered madly, and the result is that the room looks really nice when you initially open the door. Straightened up the Big Table, and thought of a couple of ways to help DS get it under control.

Tomorrow, which is now today, as I woke very early, looks like being drier, so a mixture of weeding then hallway and more front room.

KTCluck · 28/07/2020 07:48

Well done Tidy, glad you found your mojo.

I absolutely had you down as a rebel That Grin

Hazel I hope you manage some relaxing on your day off too.

Bower Moroccan lamb shank sounds divine.

I made it to work nice and early this morning so I’m catching up in the car park. Set the DW and WM off before I left, gave the kitchen benches a wipe, and managed to s & s while I bathed DD (she was covered in felt pen but in no mood to go in last night).

link to Flylady’s words of wisdom

KCC old story but naaaw

Right, must head in to work. Have a good day everyone. I’ve noticed we are running a bit low on thread space. I can start a new one in a day or two if needed but as there are only 3 days left in the month doesn’t seem worth it. Did we have a volunteer for August? (How is it nearly August?!)

OP posts:
LaneBoy · 28/07/2020 08:53

Morning all.

PO3.1
❗️Meds, big mug of water
❗️Strip bedding and wash it
❗️Do one week of one of the FL courses
(Optional PO4: try not to fall asleep or eat my own arm from hunger 😳😂)

Stilllivinginazoo · 28/07/2020 09:33

KT that's such a cute story
Tidy if you spot a spare mojo can I borrow it?
LaneI can join in for a nap.my apetite buggered off this morning

Tada
Feed cat
Harpic lav
wash on
Sweep lower floors
Wash up last night's dinner stuff
Sort thru the living room pile- rehouse,recycle,add chazza bags
Tidy two drawers in cupboard understairs
Sift thru dd2 snack box.clear out empty wrappers,add more stuff in
Feed D's and lil zoo
Get milk forgot yesterday
Wash in drier
More in
S+s
Poo pick littertrays

Might try and eat something shortly,and I may need slither in a nap,as eyes almost rolling with tiredness..

Bowerbird5 · 28/07/2020 10:05

I’m not surprised after yesterday’s list zoo

Thanks Hazel yes, I did feel drained and it was lovely to just sit and read in the summer house. It was raining as well. I like to go there when it is raining and look at the view it was torrential yesterday for a while. I just sat reading and looked up every now and then.

I can’t believe it is nearly August KTC I asked DH yesterday what the date was and said” How did that happen?”

I feel a little better this morning so far.

I forgot to add last night that we had to make jam as I had picked nearly 6 lb of black currants. I really didn’t feel like it but DH did some. I weighed it out added water and put it on the hot plate then went to watch tv while DH ate the Moroccan Lamb. DH did most of the rest under instruction. I don’t think he realised how much is involved in making it. He had a piece of bread because he couldn’t resist. We still have some from 2018. So that should get us through winter. We only did 4lb as I thought it might boil over so have to decide whether to freeze or make more today.

I finished my book but discovered I don’t have the next one. Damn.

Power of three
Going to move things under the table and vacuum.
Dust table and corner unit.
Label Jam